The 29th Sonoma International Film Festival runs March 25-29 with 104 films from 37 countries, headlined by Maude Apatow’s directorial debut, a Steven Soderbergh centerpiece starring Ian McKellen, and career conversations with Julian Schnabel, Barry Jenkins, and Lulu Wang.
The Sonoma International Film Festival is back for its 29th edition, and the 2026 lineup makes a convincing case that California’s wine country has become a genuine destination for serious film lovers. You get prestige cinema, but you also get Pinot Noir and fresh vineyard air.
Opening Night: Maude Apatow’s Directorial Debut
The festival opens with Poetic License, the feature directorial debut from Maude Apatow. She isn’t yet a household name behind the camera, but she comes from obvious pedigree and the film has already generated buzz on the festival circuit. It’s a confident choice for opening night and signals the kind of emerging talent SIFF has made its reputation on.
Soderbergh, McKellen, and a Sonoma-Shot Closer
Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers gets the centerpiece slot, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. Soderbergh doesn’t do throwaway projects, and his presence alone elevates any festival’s credibility.
Closing night belongs to Under the Lights, a film actually shot in Sonoma featuring Lake Bell, Nick Offerman, Randall Park, and Mark Duplass. A local production closing a hometown festival — that’s the kind of thing that makes SIFF feel different from the bigger, more impersonal festivals.
104 Films, 37 Countries
The full lineup spans 104 films from 37 countries: 41 narrative features, 16 documentary features, and 47 shorts. Julian Schnabel brings In the Hand of Dante and will sit for a special evening and moderated talk about his career spanning visual art and cinema.
The festival also hosts career conversations with Barry Jenkins and Lulu Wang — two filmmakers whose work has defined a generation of American independent cinema.
Panels Worth Showing Up For
Beyond screenings, the programming includes panels that dig into the craft:
- The Art of Casting: The Craft Behind the New Oscar — timely given the Academy’s recent recognition of casting directors
- The Power of Storytelling — documentary filmmakers on impact-driven filmmaking and audience engagement
- Film Veterans Tell All — industry veterans sharing war stories
- Food, Film & the Future — where Sonoma’s two defining industries intersect
The Sweet Spot
This is the sweet spot where indie cinema meets accessibility. You’ve got emerging directors sitting next to established auteurs, and the setting forces a kind of intimacy you don’t get at SXSW or Tribeca. Wine tastings, small venues, conversations that actually happen because people aren’t rushing to the next screening in a crowded multiplex.
The primary venue is the historic Sebastiani Theatre in downtown Sonoma, within walking distance of the town’s culinary and wine offerings.
For North Bay film enthusiasts, it’s a no-brainer. For Bay Area cinephiles, it’s worth the drive. March weather in Sonoma beats festival crowds in Austin or New York any day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Sonoma International Film Festival?
The 29th Sonoma International Film Festival runs March 25-29, 2026 at the Sebastiani Theatre and other venues in Sonoma, California.
What is the opening night film at the 2026 Sonoma Film Festival?
Poetic License, the feature directorial debut from Maude Apatow, opens the festival on March 25.
How much do passes cost for the Sonoma Film Festival?
Festival passes range from $500 (Bronze) to $5,000 (Patron). SIFF members receive discounts of $25-$100 off pass prices. Single tickets go on sale March 11, 2026.
What notable filmmakers are attending the 2026 Sonoma Film Festival?
Steven Soderbergh screens his centerpiece film The Christophers starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. Julian Schnabel, Barry Jenkins, and Lulu Wang participate in career conversations and special events.
Where is the Sonoma Film Festival held?
The primary venue is the historic Sebastiani Theatre in downtown Sonoma, within walking distance of wine tasting rooms and restaurants. The festival address is 103 East Napa Street, Suite 2A, Sonoma, CA 95476.
What is the closing night film?
Under the Lights, a film shot in Sonoma starring Lake Bell, Nick Offerman, Randall Park, and Mark Duplass, closes the festival on March 29.
Where should I stay for the Sonoma Film Festival?
The festival's preferred hotels are El Dorado Hotel, MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa, Stanly Ranch, and The Lodge at Sonoma. Delta Airlines is the official airline partner.
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